A stake or post puller is an engineering control that reduces repetitive bending, twisting, and pulling.  When performed repeatedly, especially from a stooped posture, these movements put laborers at an increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders  (MSDs).  A stake or post puller reduces these risks by allowing the rebar, stake, or post to be removed from an upright position by pushing down on the handle, which provides an upward force.

Stake or post pullers consist of a handle connected to a central shaft and two pull shafts.  At the end of the shafts are two gripping pieces and a baseplate.  Stake or post pullers are made from heavy gauge steel plate and tubing with zinc and clear chromate plating to resist corrosion.  

Stake or post pullers are operated by lifting the handle, which pulls on the pull shafts to open the gripping piece.  Once open, the rebar, stake, or post is positioned inside the gripping piece.  The object is lifted out of the ground by placing the foot on the base and pushing down on the handle.  These steps are repeated until the post is completely removed.

Figure 1. Stake puller lined up with a stake. (Photo courtesy of MARSHALLTOWN

With uneven ground, blocks can be placed beneath the base of the stake or post puller so that the central shaft and gripping device is parallel to the rebar, stake, or post. With soft ground, a wooden block can be screwed into two holes in the 4" by 8" base plate to increase the base of support.

There are numerous models of stake or post pullers for five categories of rebar, stake, and post removal (construction and concrete, T-post fencing and farming, tents and inflatables, sign posts, and utility grounding rods).  The models range from a 9:1 to a 16:1 mechanical advantage, producing 900 to 2,800 pounds of upward force. The different models vary to accommodate the various size and shapes of the objects being removed.

Stake or post pullers increase productivity on the worksite.

The correct stake or post puller model must be chosen based on the object being removed.  The frequency of use of stake or post pullers should be considered prior to purchase because the benefit may not outweigh the price if only used occasionally.  In addition, stake or post pullers are safer than using a hammer and striking the metal stakes or posts to loosen them.

Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; and Kevin Wright, SPT – Eastern Washington University

• General Labor
  • Construct and remove sidewalk forms
    • Kneeling & Squatting
    • Stooped postures